Revelation | A liturgical reading (My little finches)

A bleak day, a cosmic conversation, a liturgical identity – and consolation. (Listen.)

I was feeling despondent so I went for a walk when I came across a flock of red-browed finches. They were darting back and forth across the path, cheeping merrily at each other. And they said to me, ‘Learn from us! Look how happy we are in our little flock, flitting between sun and shade.’ And I said, ‘But where is my little flock? I don’t know anymore. And I seem to be stuck in the shadows.’ Continue reading “Revelation | A liturgical reading (My little finches)” →

May 15, 2022

Acts | On widows, women, and resurrection life

Not your usual Mothers’ Day sermon. (My mother would be proud!) (Listen.)

My mother loved beautiful clothes. She wore designer silk dresses and an embroidered purple velvet kaftan; she tripped around in Spanish platform sandals. But perhaps her most precious garment was a simple blue bomber jacket, given to her by some Cambodian widows. Continue reading “Acts | On widows, women, and resurrection life” →

May 8, 2022

dawn | it’s your turn #Lent2022

The Psalmist sings, “You have turned my mourning into dancing; you have taken off my sackcloth and clothed me with joy.” (Psalm 30:11)

My mother says there is a lot of bitterness about the Christian church. “They came here and totally disregarded our beliefs of the Creator who created all things. We didn’t have Jesus but we had a lot of other beliefs. We have to acknowledge, though, that in reality, we would have been wiped out if it wasn’t for the churches. But now the church is changing. It is more accepting of Aboriginal traditions. Some churches invite our elders to do smoking ceremonies—our traditional way of cleansing—in the church. And many of the clergy talk about one God for all people now. Deacon Boniface Pridot, he’s a tribal man from Daly River, he’s in the Catholic church. He brings together the two beliefs so beautifully.” Continue reading “dawn | it’s your turn #Lent2022” →

April 17, 2022 0

40 | bloody, and bowed #Lent2022

Jesus says, “I am thirsty.” (John 19:28)

When I came to him in the last week of August, I found Arthur prone on the floor. He’d fallen from his chair during the night, but his legs were too swollen and his arms too weak for climbing in again. Continue reading “40 | bloody, and bowed #Lent2022” →

April 16, 2022 0

39 | enough #Lent2022

Paul writes, “Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good.” (Romans 12:21)

A television news report. A case of American domestic terrorism. A government building bombed. Many people killed. The trial had been held. The accused found guilty. The reporter was doing a vox pop with those waiting outside the courthouse to hear the sentence handed down. Continue reading “39 | enough #Lent2022” →

April 15, 2022 0

38 | foot massage #Lent2022

Jesus says, “What do you want me to do for you?” (Mark 10:51)

My misgivings about advice began with my first experience of clinical depression thirty-five years ago. The people who tried to support me had good intentions. But, for the most part, what they did left me feeling more depressed. Continue reading “38 | foot massage #Lent2022” →

April 14, 2022 0

37 | sometimes your body #Lent2022

Taste and see the goodness of the Lord! … Many are the afflictions of the righteous, but the Lord rescues them from them all. (Psalm 34:8, 19)

While she had Covid, L sent this through, writing: The brain fog [of Covid] is real. But this is fruit related. I wrote it when recovering from back surgery [late last year]. If I was going to pick a fruit of the spirit to go with it, it would be patience. Continue reading “37 | sometimes your body #Lent2022” →

April 13, 2022 0

36 | all I have #Lent2022

Paul writes, “The one who supplies seed to the sower and bread for food will supply and multiply your seed for sowing and increase the harvest of your righteousness. You will be enriched in every way for your great generosity, which will produce thanksgiving to God through us; for the rendering of this ministry not only supplies the needs of the saints but also overflows with many thanksgivings to God.” (2 Corinthians 9:10-12)

Her son was fourteen when he died. On the day of the funeral her husband returned, took to his bed, and did not leave it until he too died six months later … In the long years of her son’s illness, Sarah had spent much time with him in the children’s wards of hospitals. There she met many others like her son and met the mothers who, like herself, spent every hour they were allowed to with their children. But she also met children no one cared enough to visit, children who had been abandoned, orphaned, or who came from homes where the need was so desperate that no one even had the time for visits. Continue reading “36 | all I have #Lent2022” →

April 12, 2022 0

35 | gentle protection #Lent2022

Jesus says, “Aren’t two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted.” (Matthew 10:29)

I marvel at the gentleness of Otto, a 10-year-old boy, with a kitten a few days old. I wonder at just how gentle God is with us and how God holds us. The look of love and joy. God’s patience and kindness. God’s unfailing generosity and faithfulness. May God hold you in his hands and may we trust in God’s holy powerful and gentle protection. Ω Continue reading “35 | gentle protection #Lent2022” →

April 11, 2022 0